Mohamed Salah could have already kicked his final ball for Liverpool.
If he has, then it might have been his last touch on European soil, with the Liverpool forward heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.
Many great players from recent years are now starting to fade away into the so-called lesser leagues.
Cristiano Ronaldo is in Saudi Arabia, whilst his partner in crime, Lionel Messi, is playing for Inter Miami in the MLS.
Even the most ardent of fans of those players would agree that they are past their best and no longer part of the great forwards in world football today.
But, not according to ESPN. They voted for their top 100 forward players in world football, with Messi, despite playing in America, coming seventh on the list.
Kylian Mbappe, following his transfer to Real Madrid, was top, alongside England superstar Harry Kane, with Manchester City’s goal machine Erling Haaland third, Champions League winner Vinicius Jr fourth and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah fifth.
All of this perplexed Frank Leboeuf who doesn’t think Messi or Salah should be where they are, as he told ESPN.
The former World Cup winner explained that Messi isn’t playing at a standard to be judged so high, whilst he ‘doesn’t get’ the Salah one given the season he has had.
The Egypt star faltered, alongside his Liverpool teammates, during the final few months of the campaign, but still managed to score 17 Premier League goals and supply 10 assists.
Top forwards in the world
“I recognise Kane as the best striker in the world, that’s for sure,” said Leboeuf. “And the second-best forward? I am not sure. On that list, I am wondering why Messi is there. I am sorry. He plays in the MLS, with all due respect, he doesn’t play in Spain, England, France or Germany. He plays in the United States. You can’t compare those championships. And he shouldn’t be there.
“Mo Salah, really? Fifth? I love Salah. But this season, I don’t get it.”
Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool future
If you are Arne Slot, then you are doing everything in your power to keep Salah on board and ensure he doesn’t move to Saudi Arabia.
Those links are never going to go away. Salah is a Muslim player and is seen as a hero in the Arab world, so they will be adamant about making him their main guy, alongside Ronaldo, or after he leaves.
But if Slot wants to breathe easier on Merseyside, then he needs Salah on board.
Class is permanent. Yes, his form fell off, but so did Liverpool. Plus, he managed 17 Premier League goals when many were questioning him. Imagine what he does when he performs for a whole season rather than just half of the campaign?!
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